The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1887-06-24
an Original Story.
fra Expressly for The Prince Gesrge's E.
NELLIE NELSON.
RALPH ROWAN and T. T. FENTON.

RALPH ROWAN and :. 7. FtNTON
NJ.
Thou aske t ME IN be thy wife,
But. sir, | must decline,
As Id not live happy life
With all that wealth of thine
-RALPH Rowan.
John Elliott was the only child of Il
wealthy gentleman, who had been an
intimate friend Of Captain Nelson s.
\ few months before John attained
his majority his father died, and his
mother having died when he was quite
vonng. he inherited all Of his fathers
fortune when he came of age.
As Captain Nelson's estate during
the past few Years had been heavily
mort@aged. and as he did not know ut
what moment his creditors might de-
mand the sale of "WOodlawn' To Sc
cure payment. he believed that the on
ly WAY to meet this emergency would
be for his daughter to form III ALI
ance with the son of hls old friend. In
order to further his purpose, he gave
the Young gentleman repeated invita-
tions To visit "Woodlawn."
John Elliott readily accepted these
invitations. and came to "Woodlawn'
quite often. and each time grew more
and more infatuated with the charms
of Nellie. and had conceit enough 10
imagine that SHE Was greatly pleased
with his attentions.
He soon gained the permission OF
Captain Nelson to address her. and the
object of this particular visit was to
make her an offer of marriage. which
he did not hesitate to think she would
willingly accept.
Nellie never admired him from the
first. and merely tolerated him tc
please her father, whom she observed
entertained 4 high opinion of him..
When she introduced Elliott to Gay
as her friend, she did not mean to
give him the impression that he was :;
special friend Of hers. but used that
term to express his standing with her
father.
Never until this morning had she
the taintcst idea that her father desir-
ed her to marry him. and when hel
aunt thoughtlessly informed her OF
the fact, it greatly surprised her, Is
John Elliott was the last man she had
ever thought of marrying.
She avoided him to-day rs much as
possible, but TO no avail, for he would
seek her society, and, at length, com
pletelv diSheartened, she gave up the
attempt.
In the evening she strolled in the
garden among the flowers: he follow
ed her, and said:
"Nellie, You can avoid me no lon
ger. for | have something to say tt
YOU, and You must listen to me now.
speak with Your fathers consent; sure
" You must have observed my increas-
ing fondness for YOU, and could have
arrived but at one conclusion. ano
that was that | loved You, which in.
deed | do. and ask Won TO become my
wife"
At the conclusion of this declara-
ton he tried 10 embrace her. but she
drew herself back. and said:
Mr.. Elliott, You are taking things
too much for granted. | do not wish
to give vou pain. but | can never be
Your wife. as do not love You, and
never can.
~ on need not be 50 conscientious
about love. he replied. ''tor my love
will suffice for both think we'll be
fore vou refuse me. Nellie, for am
considered one of the richest Young
men in the State. and not many Young
Girls would refuse such an offer.
Money would not influence me in
my selection of husband: true wo-
man should not allow herself to be
bought by the highest bidder, but
should Judge IL man by his true merit,
and should be governed by the feelings
which reign predominant in her heart
That is all sentimental nonsense